Tour Log, posted 7/20/2003
Greetings from Castle Solemite in Oakland!
Had a minute before we take off to the next show and wanted to say hi! Shows have been great and after tonight we head home to get ready for the goign away show in Japan which should be excellent! As for Japan- we're starting to get REALLY excited. Can't believe it! Well I'm going to find a shower here but wanted to say hi- we've got a lot of site updates coming so check back soon!
in the ghetto,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 7/14/2003
Tour Log!
Ok. We've been home for three days now with no time to breath. Ventura Warped was amazing. I'll touch on that soon. As for now it's been catching up with friends, family and eating at my fav. restaurants- Red Lobster, Taco De Mexico, Ozeki Sushi, Fatburger, Del Taco (there's one in Ventura now- saints be praised!), etc... Life has been good. I grow fat and happier by the day. I am broke but good food is worth poverty.
Ok. So if you checked the news we got added to the Arizona and New Mexico Warped Tours- is this summer is turning out amazing or what? I’m stoked because now I’m focused on Warped and not Japan. Japan is now 16 days away- holy shit. More on that later. I can’t focus on Japan or I’d lose my friggin mind- it’s just too crazy- more on that soon though! : > )
So… before we take off again- I’ll drop the Warped Tour adventures and more. Right now I’m off to see Pirates of The Carribean. Here’s hoping it doesn’t suck. : > )
Really quick before I roll… thanks to everyone who’s kept in touch- today was supposed to be my email the world back day but all this band stuff came up and now here I am righting a cruddy log entry- I am a bastard. Point is- we REALLY appreciate all your support- it was so good to see all our friends in Ventura.
Talk to you soon!
CHRIS JAY
PS. I like pirates. If AOF falls apart- I’m hitting the high seas for some swashbuckling adventures. Word to fellow pirates!
Tour Log, posted 7/8/2003
Tour Log,
We made it home. 63 hours in a van from the Eastern most point of the United States to Ventura, CA. We are deliriously tired and will probably sleep all day. I just wanted to drop you all a line that we made it- don't fret though- the tour log is far from over... I have some amazing adventures to catch you all up and that's what I'll do over the next week or so... can't wait till Warped on Wednesday- see you all there! Check back here soon for the tale of broken trailer, Warped in Chicago and 4th of July in Maine!
getting ready for his first shower in four days,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 7/1/2003
TOUR LOG!
Greetings from New Jersey- we are back at my house after the long drive from Chicago- the Chicago Warped was friggin unreal- one of the best shows ever- I'll post on it soon- read down for the KC Warped adventure!
your home homeboy,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 6/29/2003
Heads Up Tour Loggers! This is a long one but if you put the time in- I think you’ll dig it- GOOD LUCK!
ARMY OF FRESHMEN INVADE THE KANSAS CITY WARPED TOUR! 6/24/03
or a story of poison ivy, bruised ribs and rock and roll redemption
Dedicated to Drew.
Travel with me if you will back in time to the early 90s. A fresh faced little kid from Jersey lays covered in pink lotion and bandages. He is crying cause he is covered head to toe in poison ivy. He is also crying cause he can’t go on the field trip to Washington, DC. that he has waited all year for. The little boy is devastated and more importantly itching like fucking crazy. He has now officially experienced the cold dark side of the human experience. He is changed for life. He is hardened. The great evil that is poison oak/ivy/sumac has triumphed again. The little boy vows never to go into the woods again. he will never ever let the shiny three leafed beast get in the way of his happiness.
Folks… if you haven’t guessed by now that little boy was me. Yes your humble frontman spent his formative years seemingly covered head to toe in poison. Something about my skin just attracted poison everything. I hate it. It’s my great nemesis. Things I hate in this order… 1. Poison Ivy. 2. Nuclear War. 3. Cilantro 4. Racism 5. Getting a Job. So you see how serious I am about it. I haven’t had it since that June day in the 8th grade when I couldn’t go to DC and ride on the bus with Michelle Decosta who promised to make out with me. Even at an early age poison ivy was getting in the way of my love life. : > ) So simply put I avoided the woods. No camping for me, if the ball went into the woods my policy for years was- fuck this- game over. I am going home. It’s sad I know but such the life of a true survivalist.
So what in God’s name does all this have to do with The Army of Freshmen? Bare with me. It will all soon make sense.
So we’ve been touring our faces off since April 17th trying desperately to spread the good word of rock and it’s been pretty positive despite financially devastating. We’re having a great time, making a lot of new friends and fans but by no means has it been overwhelming. One of the biggest disappointments for me was the fact we only got on one Warped Tour date. Why so disappointing?
Little AOF and Warped tour background.
First off- I love the Warped Tour. No.. seriously. I love it. I look forward to it every year. It’s like my heaven. A ton of awesome bands. Endless merch booths. Meeting new people. It’s a personal nirvana. I’ve attended every year since I was in high school in Jersey. As for playing it we’ve been on at least one date for the past three years (make this four).
2000 WARPED... VENTURA
2001 WARPED... VENTURA, SAN DIEGO, LA, KANAS CITY, INDIANAPOLIS, KENTUCKY, PHILLY, NY
2002 WARPED... VENTURA
2003 WARPED... keep reading!
The first year we won a contest and got to play our hometown. The second year we were on a national motocross tour that was friends with Warped so on off days we got to play on 7 shows! A dream come true! That summer of 2001 is still commonly referred to by me as “the best summer of my life”. Then last year we were really bummed to only get one date once again in Ventura this time with Ernie Ball (who we are sponsored by). Of course we were stoked but honestly we’ve had such amazing responses when we played Warped in 2001 we’d hope someone would get us a few more shows.
So that brings us to this year- once again we got assed out. Ernie Ball hooked us up with our hometown show (which will we have to drive cross country non stop to get to.) but that was it. We took matters in our own hands though and booked a national tour and then had the Japanese success so regardless we have/had a great summer planned but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you deep in my heart I longed for a week or so on my beloved Warped Tour.
So flashback a week ago and I was sitting in the van staring at the Warped Tour dates that I had printed out (told you I was weird about it). As I sulked, a vision struck me. When Warped hit Kansas City we had a day off only a couple hours away. Carpe Diem - Seize The Day! So I knew we very well couldn’t crash Warped and set up in the parking lot (don’t think it didn’t cross my mind) but I decided to try a friend at Ernie Ball. Lo and behold it worked! He bought my honest to God sob story and just like that we were booked to play at The Kansas City Warped Tour! I broke the news to the boys and a great celebration ensued which almost landed us in a ditch on the side of the road. Keep in mind Kansas City was one of the dates we did in 2001 so we had some friends and fans there. Perfect!
So two nights later as we giddily sped to our date with destiny after spending our last 100 dollars at Kinkos making flyers, posters and more. As the long drive wore on- something was wrong. My legs were itching really bad but I figured it was nothing more than some overzealous mosquito bites. No worries right? Wrong. For little did I know the hell that was about to ensue.
We finally made it to KC and got a hotel for only like 4 hours but I went to sleep not thinking much of it. Till three hours later when I woke up to the undeniable and terrible sensation that I hadn’t felt since the 8th grade. GOD NO! POISON IVY!!! How could this be happening? Why Now? Why Today? Why here? For God sake’s we got a miracle Warped Tour date and I wake up with Poison Ivy- my old enemy back for one last sneak attack- I mean this was like a personal 9/11. There I was covered in the angry red mark of my enemy and in pain! What could I do? Well I had one option (actually 2 but I ruled out suicide due to the mess) I must ignore the enemy and keep rocking.
So off we went- I stopped at Wal Mart and got some anti itch spray and we got to the Warped Tour bright and early.
I thought to myself…
“I am back home. Amongst the stages and tents and bands. Happy again. One more chance to rock Warped. My precious Warped.”
Then I thought…
“God damn do my legs itch!”
So despite the itch we prepared hundreds of flyers, put up posters set up our tent and as the gates opened we tried to talk to every single person we could inviting them to our stage. Begging if you will. Met a ton of cool people who said they’d come but of course would they remember when our 3 o clock slot came around.
In the meantime I got to see some old friends and bands we are friends with and also got to meet me new favorite band – DAMONE! I’ve been pumping that record on the entire second half of this tour and I was stoked to find out they were on Warped the same day! I introduced myself to the band and we really hit it off- awesome people.
So it came time for us to play. The flyering had worked!!! There was a huge crowd waiting for us when we got to the stage! We kicked in the rock and all hell broke loose- we could see some kids singing along, huge pogoing and best of all the crowd got bigger and bigger as we kept playing.
I was on a total natural high and couldn’t feel my poison ivy at all. I had defeated the enemy… or so I thought.
As we launched into our song “Paradise” (one of our favs live) I split the crowd for a Braveheart style pit (for the record I did that first no matter what any of the bands who ripped it off say) as I ran to get back to the stage before the pit blew up- a terrible thing happened- there was a rail! Now usually I am used to just jumping straight to the stage but I was caught… I tried to get over the rail but the pit had started I was half way over when I was slammed/dropped whatever you like on the steel rail right onto my ribs. The pain was excruciating- I almost passed out. Somehow I made it to the stage and clutched my ribs- they weren’t broken but I know I had bruised the hell out of them. No one in the band had a clue- so there I was 3 songs into an 8 song set with terrible poison ivy on my legs and now a smashed ribcage. It was brutal…
At this point… I had one option (actually two but I ruled out suicide cause that would have been messy and ruined people’s day)- keep rocking. So that’s what I did. Under that beating sun I threw down as hard as I could and in pain. The crowd was rocking, we were rocking- it was great- the excitement and natural high got me through the show. I ended it with a stage dive and thank God was caught by the crowd. I looked to the side of the stage and saw some friends from Audio Karate, Never Heard of It and even Damone who I just met! It was perfect.
I also got to make due on an old promise. When we played Warped in 2001 in Kansas City, we met a kid named Drew who let’s just say had had some problems but was on his way to working them out. I talked with him for a while and he asked that we dedicate a song to him next time we came to town. Sadly only a day later he was killed in a car crash. A friend of his told me about a few days later. It really affected me at the time- still does. I never forgot that promise so I finally got to make good on it.
Then the pain kicked in again. Oh well- got done the show. I went straight to the merch booth and for the next two hours (no kidding) we signed autographs, sold merchandise, talked to kids and made a ton of new friends and fans. It was a great. Dream day. Then it got weirder…
I took off for a few minutes to catch the end of Damone’s set and while I was gone- who got a visitor at the booth- TIM ARMSTRONG from RANCID! Now I am a huge Rancid fan (betcha didn’t know that- Let’s Go and Out Come The Wolves are two of my all time favs) so I was stoked to find this out. He had heard about the band and was asking if we had keyboards- we of course told him we had two and he invited Dan and Owen to stop by his bus cause he had some songs he wanted to try keyboards on…. IS THAT FRIGGIN INSANE or what?!?!?!?!? Real quick… we did try and meet up with Tim later but no luck we didn’t see him and we didn’t want to go pounding on his bus door. Who cares though- it’s the thought that counts! : > )
So we sold a ton of merchandise which helped save us all financially, made a ton fans and had one of the better days of my life. Then it got even better…
We were even asked backed to play Warped Tour Sunday in Chicago!!! One more day in the sun! Can you believe it- right now as I write this we are off to rock one more Warped! That’s 3 on the year- I am happy. So to finish the day…
After wondering around backstage next to real rock stars- I saw Bert from The Used getting very drunk, Kai having a serious conversation with the guy from AFI, Mike and Aaron hanging on the Troma bus, The super hot singer from Tsunami Bomb getting hit on my everyone- I found the worst and coldest shower of my life- stole some soap from the guy next to me and there naked, totally sunburned, clutching my bruised ribs, covered in poison ivy, freezing water running down my exhuasted body which hadn’t even gotten 4 hours of sleep and working all day in the sun- I thought to my self- THIS RULES.
On top of it all- poison ivy didn’t ruin it! No missed field trips or women this time ivy- you bastard! I won! I finally beat you at your own game! Ok so the next few days/past days were hell… I can barely move on stage due to my ribs (imagine that) and the ivy is constantly bothering me- not to mention our trailer broke- that’ll be next tour log’s adventure but screw it- we played Warped, rocked the shit out of it and poison ivy didn’t ruin it. Plus at the point (this all happned Tue. And it’s Sat. now) it is getting better.
So… somewhere that little boy who missed the field trip and the making out with Michelle Decosta has finally achieved a much needed sense of justice and victory. Alls well that ends well.
: > )
your ivy covered, bruised ribbed, totally happy ready to rock Warped again frontman,
CHRIS JAY
PS. More adventures on the way- including let’s break down in Chicago and of course the Chicago Warped Tour!
Tour Log, posted 6/27/2003
Tour Loggers!
Greetings from a Frat House in Indiana! (No Kidding). The past week has been a roller coaster ride of great adventures and tragedies. I have so many good stories for you and today in the van I'm gonna write it all down. Till then I wanted to say hi and let you know I haven't forgotten about you! So check back soon for tale of poison ivy, borken trailers, Warped Tours, Rancid, brusied ribs and more!
your in pain but extremely happy frontman!
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 6/23/2003
TOUR LOGGERS!
Greetings from a Kinkos in Chicago - sorry for the lack of updates- we've been so busy- 6 shows in a row- driving and playing but it's been great. Right now we're busy doing a crap load of copying getting ready for THE WARPED TOUR tommorrow in Kansas City- we're so EXCITED that we got added last minute. I can't explain how stoked we are! Also if you've been following the news- we got added to another show in Japan- more on all that soon but right now we're off for a 8 hour drive to Kansas City- I intend to sit down and right some serious logs to telly ou all about the past shows and WARPED- so stay posted! Please keep in touch it's so great to hear from everybody!
your extra excited friend in Chicago who is ready to rock the fuck out of Kansas City,
CHRIS JAY
PS. Everybody in the band says hi. They are standing over my shoulder telling me to hurry up. : > )
Tour Log, posted 6/17/2003
Good Morning Tour Loggers!
I am the first one up today which is a first. Usually it's Owen but right now we're crashed at out friend Katie's house in Oklahoma. Tonight is show 3 in Kansas. The second Utah show was cool- met up with our friends My Hotel Year and also met Onelinedrawing (Jonah was really cool to us). Despite an emo heavy crowd- we went over well.
The drive was brutal though to Oklahoma- 20 hours. Thank God for our new van. We spent most of the time sleeping except for a brutal morning thunder storm which we saw lightening crash down around us. So Cal. isn't quite the bad weather capital of the world so it's funny to see the rest of the band so freked out by it. Wussies... : > ) Speaking of Wussy we met a dude in Utah whose name was Wussy. No kidding. I thought that was cool.
Thanks to Matt, Christy and Brodie in Utah for the great stay- good to see you guys again!
ok- I'm gonna take advantage of this up early thing and get the first shower- I guess it does have it's benefits. : > )
in tornado land,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 6/15/2003
TOUR LOGGERS!
So last night was the first show of the second half of the tour and it went great. A cool little crowd got going- even a Braveheart Pit and despite being a little sloppy (a week off of playing) we got the rust off and are ready to rock tonight in Salt Lake City. Immediately after the show we are off for a 20 hour drive... yikes... will we make it? More importantly will we have a enough gas money to make it? Tune back in foor another episode of THE TOUR LOG.
in my boxers in Utah,
CHRIS JAY
PS. Utah despite being a bit hot is a very pretty state.
Tour Log, posted 6/14/2003
Friends of the Freshmen!
After not leaving home till 5 hours after our scheduled departure- we made it to Utah! We're holed up at our friend Matt's house in Provo. Last night the power of Las Vegas called to us and we stopped and hit the town for 3 hours. We pretty much just walked the strip and checked out a bunch of casinos. I gambled a dollar and got it up to 2 dollars in a furious game of video poker. It backfired though and I lost it all. As Kenny Rogers said- "you got to know when to hold um, know when to fold um."
So after a tired drive from Vegas- we rolled into the TAH and all crashed the afternoon away- it's shower time so I'm off.
(See how good I'm doing on these updates : > )
in land of BYU not BYO,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 6/13/2003
TOUR LOG!
Well... I know what you're thinking- shouldn't you be on your way to UTAH right now? Yes... we should but here I am back at my house. Why? Well after going about 3 feet- we blew a tire. No shit on three feet part either. We barely moved. The van is currently being worked on in front my house as we speak. Ah rock and roll... see ya in UTAH! (Hopefully!)
your flat tired frontman,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 6/13/2003
Tour Loggers!
As promised here’s the wrap up of the first half of the AOF SUMMER 2003 TOUR! I talked to everyone in the band and had them submit the following answers- hope you enjoy it! We leave today for the second half of the tour which starts in UTAH so check back soon for a new tour log. I will be better this time at updating I promise! : > )
FAVORITE SHOWS…
CHRIS: THE GREEN DOOR IN OLKAHOMA CITY, OK. We went from opening act to headliner in front of 150 people. Total surprise and the show went off. Not bad for our first time in the state. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in DOWNER’S GROVE, IL. Sold out and we had a fan base and it was only our second time there. Crazy show. LCMR in CAPE MAY, NJ. Hey it’s my hometown. I played on the same stage that my high school band rocked. This time I didn’t get suspended.
AARON: FAVORITE SHOWS: THE GREEN DOOR IN OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.
OWEN: The Muse in Nashville, TN cause of the great bands like Days Like These and Unzung Zeros. Downer’s Grove, IL. cause of the great crowd. The second show at Swayze’s in Marietta, GA.
DAN: CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in DOWNER’S GROVE, IL.
MIKE: THE PIGPEN in CLINTON, IA.
KAI: 1st CONGRAGATIONAL in DOWNER’S GROVE, IL. and THE GREEN DOOR in OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.
WORST SHOWS…
CHRIS: THE LIME SPIDER in AKRON, OH. An 18 and over bar. No one cared and we even got heckled by two tough guys. Mike scared them after the show though. What else? Most were good for some reason. Oh THE EMPIRE CLUB in EL PASO. An all day heat fest and the sound guy couldn’t get my mike or the monitors to work. I lost my voice and no one even heard me.
AARON: THE LIME SPIDER IN AKRON, OH.
OWEN: Jack Rabbits in Tallahasse, FL. cause my keyboard broke during the show.
DAN: LIME SPIDER in AKRON, OH.
MIKE: THE LIME SPIDER in AKRON, OH.
KAI: THE LIME SPIDER in AKRON, OH.
FAVORITE PLACES TO CRASH…
CHRIS: MR. J’s MUSIC SHOP in CAPE MAY, NJ. Why? It’s my parent’s house. They don’t ever see me so they go nuts on the treatment. : > ) Red Lobster… mmm…
AARON: KAI’S RICH RELATIVE’S HOUSE
OWEN: Chris’ parents house.
DAN: Mr. J’s Music Shop.
MIKE: At fans houses or in the van.
KAI: Mr. J’s Music Shop.
FAVORITE RECORDS TO LISTEN TO IN THE VAN…
Ok everybody is in love with the new Alkaline Trio and while I do like it I think the last one is better. I really didn’t go nuts for one record on the trip. I still rock the hell out of SMOKING POPES, DESTINATION UNKNOWN and the cd my brother burnt me of the comedian DANE COOK was played quite a bit too. I think next run I’ll be in love with the new FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE and BRAND NEW but we’ll see. Just got my hands on a SPLIT HAIBT advance so that’s expected tog et a lot of airplay.
AARON: Alkaline Trio- Good Mourning, The Matches record, Air Drumming with Kai
to Reel Big Fish
OWEN: ALL AMERCIAN REJECTS and BRAND NEW.
DAN: Alkaline Trio- Good Mourning, The KGB
MIKE: Alkaline Trio- Good Mourning, Midtown- Become What You Hate
KAI: Alkaline Trio- Good Mourning. No Motiv- Daylight Breaking. Unsung Zeros- Moments to Mourning.
COOLEST THING/PLACE/TIME…
By far the dance party after the show in CLINTON, IA. This white boy rarely cuts a rug but that night my game was on. Too many good times to name.
AARON: Checking out The Alamo and eating at Whataburger
OWEN: Visiting the Alamo!
DAN: 80’s dance party in Clinton, IA. and visiting Al Capone’s grave on Easter.
MIKE: All the new bands we met was my favorite part of the tour.
KAI: Going to see The Foo Fighters on my birthday.
WORST THING/PLACE/TIME…
Being sick for a day or so/ I got this weird 24 hour flu and it was hell I still don’t know how I played the show that night. It hurt to walk let alone jump. Oddly enough it went away after we rocked. Other than that- not getting paid always sucks.
AARON: Mosquitos in Jersey
OWEN: Nothing really.
DAN: Being constantly sweaty from the humidity.
MIKE: The heat and humidity in Florida and the days we couldn’t take a shower.
KAI: The toilet at The Void in Cincinnati, OH.
FAVORITE BANDS WE PLAYED WITH…
I LOVE UNZUNG ZEROS. They should be huge. Also RIVER CITY HIGH puts on one the most straight ass no frills kick ass live rock shows I’ve seen in awhile. Oh and TREEPHORT lighting their genitals on fire is nothing to forget about.
AARON: RIVER CITY HIGH.
OWEN: UNSUNG ZEROS. RIVER CITY HIGH.
DAN: UNSUNG ZEROS. RIVER CITY HIGH.
MIKE: UNSUNG ZEROS.
KAI: UNSUNG ZEROS. RIVER CITY HIGH. SCHATZI.
FAVORITE RESTUARANTS…
I have found the magic of THE WAFFLE HOUSE. Long did think it was a white trash Dennys but that has all changed. Give me a bowl of my boy Bert’s chili and you’ll see a happy man. Oh and how could I forget the most amazing meal of the tour by far was CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE in OKLAHOMA CITY. A meal courtesy of our friend Kayte and it was AMAZING. Thanks again!
AARON: CATTLMEN’S in OKLAHOMA CITY, OK., THE WAFFLE HOUSE, MIKE’S in KENT, OH.
OWEN: MIKE’S in KENT, OH.
DAN: CATTLEMEN’S in OKLAHOMA CITY, OK.
MIKE: CATTLEMEN’S in OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. MIKE’S in KENT, OH.
KAI: CATTLEMEN’S in OKALHOMA CITY, OK. WAFFLE HOUSE. WAWA!
Will we get sick of Waffle House? The new Trio record? Not getting paid? Find out all that more in the upcoming editions of THE TOUR LOG.
Thanks for reading- your boy on the highway,
CHRIS JAY
Tour Log, posted 5/31/2003
Tour Loggers!
I write to you after a month and a half on the road. I am finally back at my humble computer in Ventura, CA. Yes… the first half of the tour is over and despite mounting financial difficulties (welcome to life for an unsigned touring band) all is well.
We got back late Wednesday Night after our first headlining show at Chain Reaction in Anaheim and Thursday we all disappeared from each other for a much needed break. I got to go to my beloved Taco De Mexico restaurant for lunch and sleep in a real bed. Then last night (Friday) we were back at it again playing a birthday party outside of LA. Tonight we rock our local bar haunt in Ventura, Bombays for an unannounced show with our friends and one of my fav. unsigned bands Solemite.
Why unannounced? Well Bombays is over 21 so we don’t really promote it since most of our fan base can’t come. In fact it’s the only over 21 place we ever play. Then Sunday and Monday we’re OFF (I’m going to see Finding Nemo!) even though there is a bunch of band work to do- can you say clean the van?!? Then Tue. And Wed. we’re headed to Santa Barbara to record a new demo! That’s right! We’re laying down two new songs “Gang Sign” and “Home Sweet Home” with producer Angus Cooke (you may know him from being in Bad Astronaut or his work with The Ataris and Nerf Herder). After that… the second half of the tour starts! Crazy huh? So let’s recap our week “off”.
THUR. OFF
FRI. GIG- PRIVATE PARTY
SAT. GIG- BOMBAYS
SUN. OFF
MON. OFF
TUE. RECORD
WED. RECORD
THUR. TOUR STARTS AGAIN IN LA!
Are we nuts? We come for a week and we only have three real days off! Well a bands gotta do what a bands gotta do. (I think Lincoln said that. : > )
Alright so let’s talk tour log! In fact let me quote from one of my beloved fan emails…
“Chris,
You lazy asshole. Too much of a rock star to update your tour log? You suck.”
Well… first off… thanks for the email. No! Wait a minute… FUCK YOU! : > )
(For those keeping track I’ve done a stand up job of not cussing but there are exceptions.)
Ok. I will admit towards the second half of the first half of this tour the updates were a little far and few between. I blame this on two things.
1. Computer access. I think some people think we have a computer and internet access in the van- we don’t! We do have a laptop where I can write in the van but the problem is we have to get internet access to upload a log. So what has happened before is I’ll write a log and we won’t get to a computer for three or four days. Things can get backed like that. Especially on those 7 day runs when it’s drive, play, drive, God I need shower, drive, etc…
2. I talk too much. Actually I write too much. I tend to try and cover every single show and event that goes down and what I end up doing is not giving enough time to the good stories and too much time to boring crap.
Ok. With that said. I think on the second half of the tour- the log should be much improved. I’ll try to write more frequently with less crap. As for the computer access well… that can be unavoidable but I’ll be on the look out for phone jacks at clubs. : > ) I am also going to introduce some guest logs- I know you get bored hearing things from my perspective all the time so look forward to occasional views from other guys in the band.
Anyways… I hope the log has fun for everybody so far. I am going to do a first half wrap up next week- don’t miss it! (worst show, best show, bands, restaurants, lodgings, etc…) and then it’ll be back to normal come next Thursday when the tour officially starts.
I really appreciate everybody reading and sending emails and what not. Means a lot. As always if there’s comment you want to make or suggestion on the log- I’m all ears… hit me at chris@armyoffreshmen.com
Also email keeps us alive on the those late drives (we can check it on our phones!) so feel free to hit anyone up in the band- our emails are on the site. As always thanks to all who brought gifts on the road- you have no idea how helpful they have been.
Your home at last homeboy of the road,
CHRIS JAY